Residents press Ottawa County commissioners to oppose proposed 345 kV transmission line

Dozens of residents urged the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners on March 3 to oppose a proposed high-voltage transmission line that would cross portions of Nowata, Washington, Delaware and Ottawa counties and run from near Wichita, Kan., to Branson, Mo.

Ben Bullard, who opened the public comment period, said the project would carry 345,000 volts on a 150-foot right-of-way and invited residents to a March 17 meeting at the Welch Civic Center. He asked the commission to require a road-use agreement or bond to make companies liable for damage to county roads caused by heavy equipment.

Other speakers raised a range of concerns. Tribal Chief Hilton Brand said the line would cross some reservation trust land and urged elected officials to contact state authorities to express concerns. "Contact the state official and express your concerns and how you can help the citizens," he said. Debbie Gains warned the county could face water shortages if data centers draw large amounts of water, saying Joplin centers use 2.5 million gallons per day and "this will drain us of the water we need." Several residents who run cattle or keep bees said the line would cut across working farms and pollinator habitat; Kristy Kirk noted the line would pass within 150 feet of her bees.

Speakers also raised health and wildlife questions. Melinda Stotts described health concerns she said are associated with living close to transmission lines and said her family relies on hunting and fishing on their land. Bev Drake asked whether audible hum and effects on birds and butterflies had been considered. Gail Graham reported contacting the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and said she was told the commission claimed no jurisdiction.

Several landowners described surveyors entering property and taking photographs and urged the county to explore alternatives such as routing along Interstate 44 or through other jurisdictions. Penny Jarmin and others emphasized the permanence of disrupted farmland and generational ties to property; Larry Palmer said "they are not making any more land so to damage the land you won’t get it back." Jim Wilkins urged residents to attend the March 17 informational meeting and to volunteer in property surveys ahead of regulatory proceedings.

Chairman Mike Furnas thanked attendees for speaking on behalf of Ottawa County. The board did not take formal action on the transmission line at the session; no motion or vote about the project was recorded on March 3.